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This content is taken from the University of Bergen, Addis Ababa University & Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences's online course, Occupational Health in Developing Countries. Join the course to learn more.

More known carcinogenic agents

We will now tell you about other known carcinogenic agents and occupations at risk for work-related cancer.

Crystalline silica

Exposure to crystalline silica dust causes lung cancer. Silica is a very common crystal-like mineral found in sand and rocks, such as granite and sandstone. Any occupation that disturbs the earth’s crust or involves processing or using silica-containing sand, rock or ores has potential risk for lung cancer. Examples include miners and quarry workers, sandblasters, workers in road- and tunnel construction, granite and stone industries, metallurgical industries, and ceramics and glass industries.

Wood dust

Wood dust causes cancer of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses and of the nasopharynx. The highest occupational exposure levels to wood dust have been reported in wood furniture and cabinet manufacture, especially during machine-sanding and similar operations. High exposure levels have also been measured in the finishing departments of plywood and particleboard mills, as well as in the workroom air of sawmills and planer mills near chippers, saws, and planers. Woodworking machines have increased greatly in efficiency since the industrial revolution, and the increased speed of production has resulted in the generation of increased numbers and finer dust particles.

Boot and shoe manufacture and repair

Boot and shoe manufacture and repair have been associated with the development of cancer of the nasal cavity and paranasal. Employees in such industries are exposed to different chemicals that are known to be carcinogenic, as well as leather dust. It is most likely that exposure to leather dust plays a role in the association, and IARC has concluded that there is sufficient evidence for the carcinogenicity of leather dust in humans.

Chromium (VI) compounds

Chromium (VI) compounds cause cancer of the lungs. Inhalation of dusts, mists or fumes, and dermal contact with chromium-containing products are the main routes of occupational exposure. Industries and processes in which exposure to chromium (VI) occurs, include: production, use and welding of chromium-containing metals and alloys (e.g. stainless steels, high-chromium steels); electroplating; production and use of chromium-containing compounds, such as pigments (including textile dyes), paints (e.g. application and removal in construction and maritime industries), catalysts, chromic acid, tanning agents, and pesticides.

Ionizing radiation

Ionizing radiation consists of particles and photons that have sufficient energy to ionize atoms in the human body, thus inducing chemical changes that may be biologically important for the functioning of cells. X-radiation and γ-radiation cause cancer of the salivary gland, esophagus, stomach, colon, lung, bone, basal cell of the skin, female breast, kidney, urinary bladder, brain and CNS, thyroid, and leukemia. In-utero exposure to ionizing radiation can cause childhood cancer. Occupational exposure to ionizing radiation occurs during nuclear power production and fuel recycling, military activities, industrial operations, flying and medical procedures.

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde causes cancer of the nasopharynx and leukemia. Formaldehyde is used mainly in the production of various types of resins that have wide uses as adhesives and binders in the wood-production, pulp-and-paper, and the synthetic vitreous fiber industries, in the production of plastics and coatings, and in textile finishing. Occupational exposure to formaldehyde occurs during varnishing of furniture and wooden floors, in the finishing of textiles, in the garment industry, in the treatment of fur, and in certain jobs within manufactured board mills and foundries. Short-term exposures to high levels have been reported for embalmers, pathologists, and paper workers. High exposure levels have also been observed in the production of resins and plastic products. The development of resins that release less formaldehyde, and improved ventilation have resulted in lower exposure levels in many industrial settings in recent decades.

Benzene

Benzene causes acute myeloid leukemia/acute non-lymphocytic leukemia. Occupational exposure to benzene occurs via inhalation or dermal absorption of solvents in the rubber, paint and parts-manufacturing industries. It also occurs during crude-oil refining and chemical manufacturing, a large component of which entails exposure to gasoline. Workers involved in the transport of crude oil and gasoline and in the dispensing of gasoline at service stations, as well as street workers, taxi drivers and others employed at workplaces with exposure to exhaust gases from motor vehicles also experience exposure to benzene.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of different products resulting from the incomplete combustion or pyrolysis of organic material. Exposure to certain PAHs is associated with lung and skin cancer. High levels of occupational exposure can occur during the conversion of coal to coke and coal tar, and during the processing and use of coal-tar derived products. Occupations of relevance include coal gasification, coke production, coal-tar distillation, paving and roofing that involve coal tar, the use of creosote as a wood preservative, aluminum production and working as a chimney sweep.

More examples of carcinogenic agents (or manufacturing processes), the cancer types they are known to cause and occupations or industries at risk can be found in this table (the table is also available as a PDF in the download section at the bottom of this page):

Carcinogenic agent (or manufacturing processes) AND Cancer site or type